Lemon Orzo with Feta Salad (Mediterranean Orzo Salad)

This easy lemon orzo with feta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish, perfect as a light meal on its own or as a delightful side to complement a main course. A staple of Mediterranean cuisine, it's both delicious and simple to prepare.

I've always loved salads for their versatility. You can mix in various healthy ingredients, toss them with a tasty homemade dressing, and enjoy a nutritious meal.

They are a perfect way to embrace clean eating. This delightful lemon feta orzo salad is an ideal example.

Why to Choose Homemade Dressing for Lemon Orzo with Feta Salad

I remember when I first delved into healthy eating and clean diets, one of the key points educators emphasized was the hidden chemicals in store-bought salad dressings.

Consider this: when you decide to clean up your diet, salads are usually the go-to option. That's great! You fill your plate with nutritious greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and other wholesome ingredients. But then, you top it off with a store-bought ranch or balsamic vinaigrette. Not so great!

Why? You save calories by choosing healthy veggies, only to add them back (and more) with the dressing. Plus, you also introduce chemicals meant to prolong shelf life and enhance flavor. In the end, your meal isn't as clean as you intended. For more insights on avoiding store-bought dressings, check out my Chicken Caesar Salad (No Anchovies) Recipe.

Fortunately, there's a simple solution: make your dressing at home! This way, your lemon orzo with feta salad will be both delicious and genuinely clean.

How to Make Homemade Dressing for Lemon Feta Orzo Salad

Ingredients for the dressing

• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 garlic clove
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Dressing Preparation

1. Peel and mince the garlic clove, then place it in a small bowl.
2. Add the lemon juice, honey, and extra virgin olive oil, and mix well.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix thoroughly.

How to Make Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Ingredients You'll Need

• 6 oz orzo pasta: Cook according to the package directions.
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes: Cut each in half.
• ¼ cup kalamata olives: Use pre-cut pitted kalamata olives (I usually buy them from Trader Joe's), or slice regular olives thinly.
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons capers

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the orzo pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients: halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the kalamata olives if needed, crumble the feta cheese, chop the parsley, and measure out the capers.
3. Once the orzo is cooked, drain and let it cool slightly.
4. In a large bowl, combine the orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and capers.
5. Pour the prepared homemade dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
6. Store the lemon feta orzo salad in the fridge for up to three days, though it's so delicious you'll probably eat it all before then!

QUICK TIP: For an extra burst of flavor, let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to marinate in the dressing.

Final Thoughts

Making a tasty and healthy Mediterranean orzo salad at home is easy and so worth it. By using fresh ingredients and homemade dressing, you avoid the extra chemicals and calories in store-bought dressings.

This lemon orzo with feta salad, with orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, parsley, and capers, is coated in a delicious lemon dressing. It's great as a light meal or a side dish and highlights the benefits of clean eating. Enjoy the fresh flavors and simplicity of this salad!

More Recipes You'll Love

• Chickpeas and Spinach Curry (with Trader Joe's Greek Chickpeas)
• Quinoa Salad with Hard Boiled Egg and Avocado Dressing
• The Best Beet Salad with Mandarin Oranges
• Greek Salad with Heirloom Tomato and Feta Cheese
• Healthy Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Walnuts

📖 Recipe